Loneliness

There are different sides to loneliness. Like a lover, with two faces. Sometimes it creeps up while you driving in a silent car. Other times you feel it when you walk through a park, Noises everywhere around you, but none of them belong to you. A lot of times loneliness Read more

Natasha Alexander

Writer, always Wife and Mother first. Perfect is overrated, I am flawed and yet loved. Now that I don’t chase perfection, I can chase my dreams. I have completed a "Write a Novel" course in 2015 through S.A. Writers’ College and passed with a distinction. I also completed the Copy-Editing and Proof-reading course through them in March 2016. My first Manuscript of 60 000 words has been written and currently seeking a publisher. I have been writing poetry since I was 14 and the reason/inspiration behind all my writing is a stand against women abuse. It is a cause that I hold close to heart. Something that started as an outlet for feelings too ghastly to speak about has turned into my passion.

I Feel Pretty with Makeup On

I haven’t felt comfortable in my skin since I was a teenager. And this is odd to me, because when I was a teenager, I was disgusted by my reflection. Horrified and sickened, I would gag at the sight of myself in the mirror. I’m far from being a kid Read more

Richard DeFino

Ricky De Fino grew up in New York City and currently resides in Buffalo NY. When he isn’t writing about his anxiety and his crazy Bronx upbringing, he enjoys watching countless hours of television with his wife Andrea, cat Bebe and dog Zeke. Two years sober, good coffee and veganism keeps him sane. His work can be found in Two Cities Review, tNY Press, Purple Pig Lit, Dialougal and Cycatrix Press.

In Murky Water

Beneath the murky water, she stares up at me. Her deceptive comfort lures me in. It’s all become so difficult, I scream. Tears forcing from the corners of my eyes. I know, she whispers, Let it out. Everything I’ve bottled up; held it deep down inside it burns in my Read more

M.L. Flickinger

Aside from writing, Melissa is an advocate for mental health and wellness - fighting against the stigma of mental illness. Focusing on mindfulness, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, eating disorders, ADHD, addiction, PTSD, emotional abuse, domestic violence, trauma, and recovery. She has a slight (okay, huge) obsession with coffee and all things pumpkin.

BARK B*TCH

I think about renouncing my gender of woman often, even knowing it won’t change what’s happened to me already because of my womanhood.

Hannah Carr-Murphy

Hannah Carr-Murphy is a writer and musician from Black Hawk County, Iowa. She is currently pursuing a master's in community music at University of Limerick, Ireland. Her poetry and essays can be found in ADANNA, Persephone's Daughters, and the collection Exs (Final Thursday Press).

Black Sheep

Call me the black sheep, the could be the wanted to be but never was. Name me the backdrop, the shadow, the breakthrough that never did. I was the nightlight that burned out, looking like a spotlight that failed. I tried to be the center but I got sidelined, where Read more

Stephanie Bennett-Henry

Stephanie Bennett-Henry is the creator of Raging Rhetoric, the hugely popular Facebook page, IG profile, and website. With a social media following in the hundreds of thousands, Stephanie is regarded as one of today's most highly respected poets. Her writing is raw, unfiltered, and unforgettable. Born and raised in Texas, Stephanie is a southern girl through and through, sharp as a blade and as sweet as candy. You can find Stephanie's exquisite words on her Facebook Writer page, website, IG, and Raging Rhetoric Column on The Lithium Chronicles. From somewhere in Texas, Stephanie is working on her first book of poetry. Look for her pieces in home decor and gift shops all over North America very soon.

La Joie de Vivre!

A few weeks after the Paris massacre of Friday, November the 13, 2015, I got my first tattoo. It’s the Eiffel tower centered inside the peace sign and wrapped at the top are the words, Joie de vivre ! (joy of life!), a French phrase that speaks of our healthy Read more

Michel Bordeau

My name is Michel Bordeau, aka Area Frenchman. I am a Therapist and an Education Coach in private practice in Atlanta. Born in France, I have spent half my life in the US. I am culturally French and academically American, so you can safely assume that I know a thing or two about love (gender respectful, validating, unconditional, non-threatening) and the pleasures of life (many friends, much cheese, little w(h)ine). When I don't blog about mansplaining, teen assertiveness, guru shaming, toxic work environments and toxic people, motherhood, mindful parenting, immigrant entrepreneurs, bipolar disorder and body dysmorphic disorder, I dedicate my time speaking about the lessons I have learned as a therapist and a coach. I am the host of Le Kindness Couch on Youtube. I created this channel to demonstrate that today's therapeutic modalities are kind, validating, and solution-focused. We don't read mind or blame your mom for everything.